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Alvin Gentry is the top candidate for head coach of New Orleans Pelicans

By Troy Foster

Dec. 22, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry reacts to an officials call during the second quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. The Blazers won the game 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 22, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry reacts to an officials call during the second quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. The Blazers won the game 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alvin Gentry emerges as top candidate for head coach of New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans, in their search for their new head coach, have narrowed down the candidates to only a handful of names. The name that has emerged as the top candidate for the role is Alvin Gentry.

John Reid of Nola.com has reported that Gentry interviewed Monday with the Pelicans vice president Mickey Loomis and and General Manager Dell Demps. Sources report that he was “more than interested” to coach Anthony Davis and he believed this to be a career defining job.

Gentry is currently an Assistant on Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warriors’ coach staff. He is understood to do the offensive play calling along side Kerr. Gentry’s interview and speculation of job movement hasn’t been a point of contention with the Warriors organization, though. Steve Kerr has handled the interview and speculation process with the utmost class joking around before game 2 saying:

"“I saw the report today that there’s more interest between New Orleans and Alvin, and then there was a picture of Lindsey Hunter,” Kerr said, laughing. “So I don’t know, maybe Lindsey is involved in the search, too, and there’s a picture of Alvin on his story. I don’t know, it’s all good stuff. I want every member of our staff to embrace any opportunities that come their way regardless of what they are, and as long as it doesn’t interfere with our game planning, which it hasn’t."

Gentry spent the 2013 season as an assistant for Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers. He signed a three-year deal with the Golden State Warriors prior to the 2014-15 season.

This would be another shot for him to prove himself though, as a head coach. His current record at that position is 335-370. Gentry had his most successful years at the helm of the Suns high powered offense in the 2009-2010 season. The Suns that year averaged a league high 110 points per game. They had a decent playoff run as well, only being bested by the Los Angels Lakers in the conference finals, a team which went on to win the NBA championship.

Gentry coached with a play style that that pushed paces and this bodes well him for him. The Pelicans have been open about their want for a Head Coach that plays with the pace-and-space play style so common in the NBA today.

The Pelicans have also received interest from another candidate in John Calipari and have been looking at Tom Thibadeau, if he were to move on from the Chicago Bulls position. There are hang-ups with both of those options though.

This seems like the best move for both parties. Alvin Gentry has most certainly been though changes working under two of the best coaches in the NBA, while still having a history of his own prowess. His willingness and enthusiasm for this opportunity also gives the impression that he would be a compromising coach who would listen to all knowledgeable voices regarding team management.

h/t nola.com 

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